Police raid law-breaking pubs

PHUKET TOWN: Police launched a series of raids in the early hours of yesterday morning, targeting establishments known for ignoring opening and licensing laws. The raids resulted in seven establishments being caught flouting the law. Kung Ja Restaurant and Nam Fon Karaoke were charged with staying open after the 3 am closing time. Establishments charged with operating without a license or operating illegally included Society Pub, Studio Pub, Tonight Pub, Dance Fever Pub and Future Pub. The owners of six of the establishments, all repeat offenders, were detained and denied bail pending prosecution. The exception was the owner of first-time offender Nam Fon Karaoke, who was fined 2,000 baht. The crackdown follows Provincial Governor Pongpayome Vasaputi’s warning to entertainment venues that offenders who repeatedly flout the opening and licensing laws will no longer be tolerated. Once the offenders have been prosecuted, the Governor will decide whether or not the venues will be allowed to continue operating.